More than 5,100 freight-related layoffs hit US supply chain sector
Key takeaways
- More than 5,100 freight-related layoffs hit US supply chain sector Major employers including Fresh Realm, GEODIS, Ryder and DSV announced mass layoffs as companies cut costs and consolidated operations.
- The layoffs span at least 20 states and include warehouse operators, manufacturers, trucking companies, automotive suppliers and food logistics providers.
- One of the largest workforce reductions came from California-based FreshRealm, a ready-to-eat meal supplier for brands including Blue Apron.
More than 5,100 freight-related layoffs hit US supply chain sector Major employers including Fresh Realm, GEODIS, Ryder and DSV announced mass layoffs as companies cut costs and consolidated operations. (Photo: Jim Allen/Freight Waves) Noi Mahoney Mon, May 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM GMT+7 3 min read. A wave of freight-related layoffs and facility closures has swept across the U.S., with more than 5,183 workers affected by shutdowns, restructurings and contract losses tied to the logistics, manufacturing and transportation sectors.
The layoffs span at least 20 states and include warehouse operators, manufacturers, trucking companies, automotive suppliers and food logistics providers. Many of the cuts were linked to broader supply chain restructuring efforts, softening industrial demand, customer contract losses and operational consolidations.
One of the largest workforce reductions came from California-based FreshRealm, a ready-to-eat meal supplier for brands including Blue Apron. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced layoffs impacting more than 1,000 workers nationwide after disruptions tied to a 2025 listeria outbreak.